1 comments about Globe Trekker: Finland & Baltic States.

1. I would not purchase this video if you are anticipating a preview of the cities visited. Filming was primarily of interaction with individuals met along the traveler's journey, rather than of the architecture and historical areas of the cities.

No comments about Cape and Islands Ways.

No comments about Travels in Europe: London/Paris/Amsterdam.

No comments about Amazing Wonders of the World: From Egypt to Israel.

1 comments about A Journey Down Route 66.

1. although this video is from 1994 it is still the best one I have seen. Michael Wallace narates. Good footage of all of route 66. I liked the footage of the Chain of Rocks Bridge showing the bridge before they converted it to a bicycle/walking trail. Michael also visits with Lillian Redman owner of the Blue Swallow along with Angel Delgadillo...the Seligman barber who is very much responsible for keeping Route 66 alive. 90 minutes long. Any fan of route 66 will enjoy this video

No comments about Argentina Land of Natural Wonder.

4 comments about Echoes Through Time: The Grand Canyon.

1. This is the best video I've ever seen on the Grand Canyon, in that it manages to cover geology, topography, sightseeing, accomodations, and combined Indian, frontier and park history, all in one hour!



2. What an experience! I learned so much about the Canyon, the Native American culture, all while watching absolutely beautiful photography of one of the amazing wonders of the world. This video is more than just a "What to do at the Park". It encapsulates the history, development and beauty of a place rightly called "The Grand Canyon." Buy this video if you are planning a trip, have been to the Park, or even if you've only dreamed of visiting this historical National beauty.



3. This is way beyond a travel video -- a wonderfully informative, and entertaining story told of one of our national treasures -- really delves into the history; beautiful visually; a ton of fascinating info -- a must for any national park lover! Five stars plus!



4. It is difficult to put the Grand Canyon experience into words, yet this video has done just that - along with breathtaking cinematography and emotionally moving music. Beautifully layered sights, sounds, historical photos and narratives truly bring the Grand Canyon experience alive. If you are looking for far more substance and depth than your average travel video, make this part of your video library.

2 comments about Lonely Planet - Vietnam.

1. The Lonely Planet travelogue series does it again with "Vietnam," giving us priceless glimpses into the lives and customs of people in present-day Vietnam. This program touches upon the war with the U.S. and its lingering effects, but does not dwell on that theme. Ironically, it shows the emergence of small-scale capitalism in both southern and northern parts of the country. One gets the impression of a very poor country still struggling to heal itself and forge its place in the world. The last few minutes are particularly memorable, with traveller Justine Shapiro talking to a community of Hmong in the north, and learning that she is the first westerner they have seen in ten years -- "never mind the war."



2. This is vintage Lonely Planet. I show this every year to my World Geography students. You learn about the lingering difference between the north and south. Eastern cultures tend to drink and eat what we might term edgy foods and the like..you won't believe what Justin eats on this video, I should say what she drinks---major yuko! The seaside resort is spectacular, as long as you don't need electricity 24 hours a day. Her visit at a war memorial type place complete with tunnels used during the Vietnam war is fascinating. Her trek through Hanoi with it's 'trade identified street names' is intriguing. I love this video and highly recommend it.

2 comments about North India Experience: Varanasi to the Himalayas.

1. I discovered in this video a very fascinating way to visit india. Made for backpackers this document gives a lot of informations about this area and gives good advises about what to do and not to do for a reasonnable price. Be a different tourist and discover this mystical land of the north of India.



2. Lonely Planet should be embarrassed. This video offers zero practical information for travel to N. India. Camera work is sloppy, even out of focus at times. "Narrative", if it can be called that, is incoherent. Video "host" is completely clueless about the culture in which he is a guest. He slaughters every Hindi/Sanskrit/Pali word or name he encounters. His joking, at times mocking, attitude is denigrating and insulting to this venerable culture. Zero stars should be an option for this one. Do yourself a favor - don't buy it!

5 comments about Lonely Planet - The Japan Experience (Tokyo to Taiwan).

1. I thought this one was a great video to peak behind the scenes of Japan and its tourism. It was funny, unusually presented and diplayed different aspects than what can be normally found in guidebooks. The only negative was the selection of expats being interviewed in this report. It gave the impression that expat women can only earn their living as hostesses in sleazy bars and nothing else. If you are looking for a serious travel report on Japan this is definitely not for you. But if you would like to see the younger, hipper and more unusual side of Japan- you will really enjoy this !



2. The smirking British host goes out of his way to present only the silliest, most bizarre aspects of Japanese life and culture. He and the producers obviously had an agenda of casting this dignified, rich culture in as poor a light as possible. Given the antics of the royal family in the UK, I'm amazed that this bloke has the chutzpa to belittle any another culture.



3. I came across this tape at a local bookshop in the travel section, I was happy to finally find a video about Japan, unfortunately I realized too late that it was a big waste of money, they should change the title to "I hate Japan" instead, I was so disappointed by how the filming was taken, how the host was just shown the bad side of Japan, it wasn't really helpful at all, I haven't been to Japan before but I know more than he does!
   
   It's really not worth watching or purchasing.



4. I love Lonely Planet video-my middle school students love them. But this edition was a massive disappointmet. Only the Okinawa part was worth watching. Pass on this one.



5. Overall, this is an excellent series. The host has a sense of humor and doesn't take himself too seriously. The cultural aspects presented are interesting and enlightening. It's a forty- five minute video, so it isn't going to cover everything, but the videos do make a good introduction to different cultures and stimulate questions and discussion. If you are a social studies teacher using the LP videos in the classroom, make sure you preview first. Though most of the videos are fine for middle schoolers, there are a few segments that probably need to be skipped...like the two minute hostess bar segment at the beginning of the one on Japan.